Results published today by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers increased in May when compared to April due to increases in both base rates and fuel surcharges assessed by carriers.

The CGFI Total Freight Cost Index rose by 0.8 percent in May when compared to April, its third consecutive monthly increase. The Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of fuel surcharges assessed by carriers, increased 0.4 percent during the same period. In addition, average fuel surcharges assessed by carriers increased from 19.9 percent of base rates to 20.3 percent.

Of note is that fuel surcharges increased for the eighth consecutive month, and have reached their highest point since November 2008.

"In May we saw the second successive month of increases in base rates," said Doug Payne, President & COO of Nulogx, a provider of transportation management services, and sponsor of the CGFI. "When added to the increase in fuel surcharges, this has a notable effect on ground transportation costs for Canadian shippers."

Source: Nulogx